Dry cell



Dec. 27, 1927. 1,653,801

H. DE OLANETA DRY CELL Filed Aug. 18. 1920 @fw/4 KM @Homey aib Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

.UNiTEo STATES EIAROLD DE OLANEYTA, F NEW HAVEN, CGNNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB. T0 WINCHESTEB BEPEATING ARMS COMPANY, 0F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

DRY CELL.

Application led August 18, 1920. Serial No. 404,3?9."

This invention relates to dry cells, and while it is not limited in its application to that purpose, it is primarily intended for employment in connection with Asmall dry cells such as used for electric ashlights. `It may also be applicable to cells which are not dry cells.

The invention pertains more especially to the closure at the upper end oit' the dry cell cup and the means for supporting the same in position.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of a simple, inexpensive, eicient and easily assembled end closure construction for dry cells.

Another object is to furnish improved means for positioning and securing within the mouth portion of the cup a disk or plug of insulating material formed prior to its insertion in the cup.

Another purpose which I have in view is the forming of the closure member from a novel material which is particularly adapted for this use.

To these and other ends the invention `.consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fi 1 is a vertical `central section of a` dry cell embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section of a cell of somewhat modified form;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale of certain parts shown in Fig. 1 and t ,Figa 4 is a detailed perspective view of the end plug made in accordance with the principles of my invention.

I have shown my improvements applied to a smallk dry cell of the type commonly employed in connection with pocket flash lights. The cell comprises a drawn zinc cup 10, forming one of the electrodes.' Within the cup is a cartridge 11 of a'suitable depolarizing material, surroundm and adhering to a carbon pencil 12, w `ich serves as the second electrode.- The cartridge 11 is of less height than the cup and -is usually venclosed in a crous wrapper 13. The body of paste 14 .ies between the side surface of the cartridge and the side wall ci the cup and serves as a carrier or vehicle f or the electrolyte. A suitable centering device n 15 is preferably employedv ier centering the cartridge within the bottom portion of the cup.

The wall of the zinc cup is displaced in an inward direction, for example, by means of a continuous annular crimp or groove 16 that *mayy readily be formed by spinning. The groove is created on the surface of the cup and the corresponding annular shoulder or bead projects within the cup at about the level of the upper surface of the cartridge 11. A closure member or plug 17 rests on this shoulder or bead and on the cartridgeand seals the cell. This closure member 1s preferably made of a suitable insulating material, as an artificial resin, such as bakelite, condensite (condensation product of a phenolic substance with an aldehyde) or the like. In the form of cell shown in Fig. 1, this closure member of bakelite, as shown, rests upon the cartridge 11 and upon the shoulder 16. The top of the metal at the edge of the zinc cup is spun over the disk or closure member 17, as at 18, so as to overlie the top surface of the plug near the periphery thereof. This is a very eilicient and preferred way of securing the plug in position on the cartridge and shoulder, although this may be accomplished in any desired manner. The carbon pencil 12 is usually provided with .a contact cap 20 on its upper end, which may be of brass or any suitable material. i

In the form of cell shown in Fig. 2, the

Ashoulder or bead 16, which is formed upon the wall of the cup, is shown to be a slight distance above thelevel of the upper surface of the cartridge and in this way provision is made 'for a gas chamber 19 between the cartridge and paste in the cell and the closure plug 17. The cell, as shown, may or may not e constructed with this gas chamber.

The plug or closure member formed of an artificial resin 'such as bakelite, condensite or the like, has been found to be very advantageous in the construction of cells of this character. The plug made of such material is practically incapable of alteration after its manufacture. It will not Warp nor absorb moisture from the cell or from the atmosphere, land constitutes an effectual and expedient closure member for these cells. The particular type of dry cell, the particular constituents of the materials used are, oi'f course, not essential to this invention. It. will be apparent that a closure member of such material may be used in cells which are not made recisely like the preferred form herein escribed, and may be secured in the cell in any desired manner.

WhileI have shown and'described a preferred form of myV invention, it will be a parent that the same is not limited to t e exact details set forth, but is capable of many modifications and variations which lie .within the spirit ofthe `invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a dry cell, ametallic cup, a cartridge of less height than the cuplocated therein and having an upwardly projecting velectrode, an exciting paste interposed between the cartridge and the side wall of the cun, e

its upper edge adjacent the upper end o the cup, the upper edge of the cup being spun over the upper surface of the closure member.

2..Il'na cell acu acartri ofless height thagrtlic cup locaptbd thereiiigahd havan upwardly projecting electrode, an exciting paste interposed between the cartridge and the side wall of the cup, and a preformed plug of insulating material inserted into the cup by a longitudinal thrust and 'substantially filling 'the s ace between .the cartridge and the upper en of the cup, said cup wall being provided with inwardly extendingprojections both above and below the plug.

3. In a dry cell, a cup, a cartridge of less height than the cup located therein and hav ing an upwardly projecting electrode an exciting medium interposed between t e car tridge and the side wall of the cupz a preformed plug of insulating material lnserted within t e upper end portion of the cup and having an opening to snugly receive the projecting end of the electrode, said plug sub stantially filling that saft` of the cup above the cartridge, and sai cup Wall being provided with inwardly extending annular projcctions both above and below said plug to secure the latter in place, said plrojection below said plug lying substantial y at the level of the up er surface of the cartridge. In witness w ereof, I have hereunto set my hand on this 31st day of Jul 1920.

HAROLD nu O ANETA. 

